The Baroness

Chapter 12 (The Ending Chapter)

Several months had passed since Layla had been killed by Duke. They had a ceremony for her in the Cat Kingdom while Toto flew back to see what the Bureau looked like after the bombing.

The Bureau was safe, so the trio returned home. Baron imediatly retreating to his study upon arrival. He every time he looked at the picture of Layla he had hanging in his home, he grimaced.

They mostly went back to their regular routine of helping others and leaving without a trace. Baron had become sloppy in the paperwork he did, becoming a sobbing mess a couple of times. Muta even had to come in once to keep Baron from destroying the picture of Layla that haunted him.

News had spread that Mr. Naski was officially a great-grandfather, and Muta had been out of the Bureau quite often to see the baby.

Our story picks up on a laid back evening in the Bureau, with Muta standing on Baron's outside balcony, a cage held above the door.

"Baron, come on, I have some tasty tea outside. Just come on out and get it." Muta called.

The cat was trying to help his friend cope with the loss and go to see Mr. Naski's great-granddaughter.

"Muta, I have tea in here." Baron called, his calm voice coming from his room.

"This is a new tea from the new shop at the crossroads!" Muta argued, holding the cage up with some trouble.

The door to Baron's home let out a squeak as Baron gave in, walking just outside to the tea that was on the ground.

"Muta, this is the same tea I've been drinking inside." Baron jumped as the cage encased him, trapping him in.

"Ha! Gotcha now, hotshot." Muta used his claws to slide down the side of Baron's home.

"Muta, please, enough with your antics today." Baron reached through the cage and opened the door.

Muta let out a huff of disappointment. "Come on, Baron. You hardly come outside anymore. Please?"

"Fine. But only if you get me some more tea afterwards." Baron set the cup inside and called Toto.

Toto flew down and smiled. "Well, did your plan work, fatso?"

"Why didn't you remind me to put the lock on?!" Muta growled and held on as Toto flew them to the small house in the country.

The cries of a little girl could be heard from inside the house. Mr. Naski was there, rocking the cradle and his grandson was making a bottle.

Baron jumped off Toto and looked through the window of the small home. Muta walked over to him and knocked him off the sill.

"Muta! What was that for?" Baron hissed.

"They'll see you if you stand there. Now I have a plan, but you have to go roll in dirt and stand stiff while I hold you in my mouth." Muta smiled.

"What?!" Baron looked at the cat in shock.

"Just do it." Muta shoved Baron in some mud.

Baron got himself dirty and stood like his statue self while Muta picked him up.

"Sorry if I cut you." Muta muttered, being careful.

"Its fine, just be quick about this. You have very bad breath." Baron teased slightly.

Muta carried Baron through the cat door and set him down before letting out a loud meow.

Seiji looked and glares at the cat. "What do you want, Muta?"

"Sweetie, Moon is probably hungry. He's been out for a couple of hours now." Seiji's wife poured some food in the cat bowl before returning to the laundry.

"Or he found something." Mr. Naski walked over and picked up Baron, a small smile on his face. "You've been through a lot this past year without me, hm?"

"Grandpa, is that your Baron figurine that's back in the shop attic?" Seiko questioned.

"No. This is my friend, Baron. Let's give him a good washing and then let him see the baby. We named her specially for him." Mr. Naski smiled and winked at Baron.

"But Grandpa, he's just an old figurine." Seiji protested. "Our baby will put him in her mouth and chew his arm off."

"Baron, I know you are fibbing to us. The figurine is locked up in a trunk in the shop. Go on and stop pretending." Mr. Naski set Baron down who moved to look at Mr. Naski in shock.

"How did you know?" Baron looked at the elder man.

"Let's just say, you aren't as discreet when helping me with my broken machines as you think." Mr. Naski laughed.

Seiji looked at the standing cat in astonishment. "H-How can? That's not? What's?" the young violin maker fainted on spot.

Baron looked over in the crib and saw a black haired baby staring up at him, tears in her eyes from crying.

"Her name is Louise Layla Naski." Mr. Naski smiled as Baron moved closer to the crib and leaned over the edge, reaching his paw in.

The little girl reached her hand up and poked his hand, giggles escaping her tiny form.

"Hello, Layla..."